By CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
FORESTERS FALLS — A unique idea to the area is combining whitewater rafting and horseback riding.
To promote the newest tourist idea, HorseCountry, owned by Walter Willett, received a $7,500 grant from the Eastern Development Corporation, which is managed by the Renfrew County Futures Development Corporation in this area.
The idea for the newest tourist attraction grew from a partnership formed by Mr. Willett and Joe Kowalski of Wilderness Tours about three years ago. The two men came to an agreement about a horseback riding camp at Wilderness Tours and it has proven successful.
This year, the two decided to offer horseback riding and rafting as a package deal.
“We’re trying to encourage more people to come to Wilderness Tours and this area,” Mr. Willett said. “They can do rafting trips and add horseback riding to their vacations.”
HorseCountry provides horses for those who don’t have any through a partnership with Monica Wilcox, the owner of Almosta Farms near Renfrew.
Ms. Wilcox came to HorseCountry about three years ago to camp, brought her horses and then became a partner with Mr. Willett.
“I’ve always wanted to provide horses and trail riding,” she said.
With this partnership, a new program was further developed, which is rafting and riding, Mr. Willett said.
“It’s a chance to give people who come rafting an opportunity to go horseback riding in Whitewater Region, which is beautiful,” he said.
He noted anyone who does whitewater rafting is out for adventure and getting out of their comfort zone, they’re looking for something difference.
“Horseback riding is a similar thing, it’s getting out of your comfort zone and people want to experience this,” Mr. Willett said.
The horseback riding is a two-hour program, which includes learning the basics and becoming comfortable with the horse and then going for a trail ride, he said.
The rafting portion depends on what a person signed up for, he added.
The horseback riding can be extended in time, as there are different options to choose from, he noted.
“When people call to reserve, we go through a list of questions, providing the various options,” Mr. Willett said. “A lot of people are beginners or maybe were last on a horse 20 years ago.”
Mr. Kowalski said there’s always opportunity for tourism to grow in Whitewater Region.
“It’s all about a business model for tourism in Whitewater Region and the connectivity of all the different areas that we have and that kind of connectivity is with horses, with mountain bikes, with rafts, kayaks, hiking boots, everything,” Mr. Kowalski said. “So, with horses another, it’s another way of connecting all the neat parts of Whitewater Region.”
Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MP Cheryl Gallant, who was at HorseCountry to discuss the grant for the company, said, “You’ve partnered with the pioneer of rafting.”
She said eastern Ontario MPs got together and petitioned the Prime Minister to have an economic development fund for eastern Ontario.
“He did one better and created Fed Dev for all of eastern Ontario,” she said. “But, we still felt eastern Ontario was off the beaten path and we wanted an extra fund. So, the Eastern Ontario Development Fund was created and it’s administered through the Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation.
“It’s local people adjudicating the different applications and choosing local businesses that can create jobs now and for the future.”
The money is spread over a number of years so business people can make definite on how to use it, she added.
Mr. Willett is receiving the financial assistance over two years to develop and promote the raft and ride program.
While MP Gallant has gone rafting and has ridden a horse, she said, “I can’t imagine having enough time in one day to do both.”
However, Mr. Willett said the adventure can be spread over two days.
“We want to keep people here in the region overnight, which generates more economic development via tourism through more lodging, more meals, more gas,” he said.
“Joe and I wanted to create a new vacation package,” he said.
“That’s really the driver behind it, he added. “Add more activities that are synergistic — outdoor adventure activities. Very different people come who raft the Ottawa River and are able to do horseback riding in Whitewater Region. It’s a chance to extend their stay.”
Mr. Willett said that is a key aspect of tourism in the area.
“We are not competing against each other, but against Mont Tremblant and other areas, where people not only in Montreal and Toronto can spend their tourism dollars,” he explained.
The idea is to spend one day on the river, enjoy dinner and then relax in the evening. The next day would be the horseback riding adventure, he said.
MP Gallant agreed, saying, “They might as well spend the whole weekend here. After all it’s where Ontario comes to play.”
She also added that people can stop at the Whitewater Brewery and enjoy some good food or even a place to go after dinner.
Mr. Willett added there are trails that connect HorseCountry to the Whitewater Brew Pub.
“We’ve talked to management and we’re now promoting trailriding with the pub,” he said. “A lot of our clients are coming with their own horses, travelling from all over Ontario, Quebec and New York state. They trail ride in Whitewater Region and go the pub.
“It’s about 16 kilometres by horseback to get to the brew pub and there are hitching posts, just like the old West
“People are really enjoying that aspect,” he said, adding, “They come here, travel to the brew pub, have a meal, sample the beers.
“The whole idea is to involve other businesses and make it more of an attraction of more things to do.”
To find out more information about the package deal go to horsecountrycampground.com or call 613-867-0585.
